Chapter II - Red|Apple

Kunie stood impatiently next to the door as he stares at it, his blood burning with excitement as he waits for Aiko to get ready and open the door for him. Since his fourth birthday, which was two weeks ago, he finally started walking out the house without having to be with Aiko…it's not that the woman cared about him or anything like that, but in Konoha, you need to be at least four years old if you wish to play out without an adult accompanying you. It isn't dangerous as there are ninjas all around making sure nothing happen but even then, not lots of parents let their child go out alone.

You never know what could happen after all.

After Aiko finally ended putting her make-up and dressed up in a robe, she walked toward the door as she pulled Kunie out the way, grumbling;

"Move out the way, brat."

Her hand reached the knob and turned it, the door opening with a 'click.' Kunie breathed the fresh air and smiled before stepping out the door, Aiko following after him and closing the door with her keys. Kunie doesn't understand why the need to close with keys because from what he heard, Shinobi can open them without requiring a key…some even using the windows.

Kunie's stomach groaned as Aiko took the keys out the knob, the woman heard it, but she disregarded him. Ever since she got her new work some months ago, she isn't home from 8 am to 5 pm, and when she is home, she barely gives him something to survive, using most of the money to buy herself clothes or makeup.

Kunie turned around and started walking away, but Aiko snatched his arms before he could, crouching and smiling at him;

"DO not get lost, okay?" she said it with a worried face, but the strength in her hands said something else. Kunie nodded, and she finally let go of his arm…the first time he went out he got lost for one entire day, Aiko didn't really care, but the neighbors started asking questions, and she didn't' like that.

Kunie's eyes strayed to the people walking next to them then waited impatiently for Aiko to join them so he can continue exploring Konohagakure. Once the woman finally got up and started walking away, he licked his red lips, his tiny hand moving to his stomach and caressing it…those baggy clothes hide his body, but he knows he is slightly underweight. Aiko always purchases loose garments as they last longer even if he grows and because they cover his body, nobody having a reason to question anything.

With a sigh, he started walking with small steps toward an area he knows rather well…he feels guilty because of his acts but he doesn't have another choice, he refuses to make the same error than with the Dursley's and get hungry.

Even if he has to steal…

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People chattered in groups as they stared at the shops and their goods. Some stands were selling food and other clothes; it didn't matter what they were selling as people surrounded them. Harry hid between the adult's legs and stared up at the shelves towering over his small body, displaying all their goods in a quite appetizing fashion. Busting vegetables were next to ripe fruits and other products.

"Fresh fruits at low price!" the man yelled at the top of his lungs as he grinned at his clients "The best vegetables out here!"

People stared at his fruits and nodded their head with smiles, taking the best looking ones and paying for them. Kunie eyes zeroed on the red apples and his mouth watered as he thought about one of them being in his mouth. He gulped and stared around him to make sure nobody was paying attention; he didn't forget to see if there were ninjas as he would be caught in seconds if it's the case.

Okay…no ninja… he swallowed as his heart started accelerating, his tiny hands stretching toward one of the apples. In a surprisingly fast movement, he grasped one, concealing it under his shirt and dashed away, evading the legs on his way as his heart pounded hard against his ribcage.

He fled as fast as his short legs could take him, not turning around to see if anyone saw him as he dodged the limbs. He knows that stealing is wrong but to survive, he will do anything. The small part of him called Harry Potter shook his head sadly but looked away.

Kunie felt so childish when he compares himself to the man he was in the past…

"GAH!" he gasped as his head collided with a long leg, his butt falling on the dirty floor. With wide eyes he stared up rapidly, not paying attention to the man's face, instead staring directly into those black eyes which were looking down at him lazily. The man crouched down and moved his hand under Kunie's arms, helping him up, his hand staying around his thin waist;

"Are you okay?" he asked the small boy who peeked back at him in astonishment.

"H-Hai!" the boy nodded then tried to get away from the hands around his waist, turning around and running away but before he could even take two steps, the back of his shirt was caught by a big hand, pulling at it and making the apple that was hidden under the shirt to fall on the floor. Kunie paled as he saw the apple rolling on the floor, trying to catch it.

The man was a step ahead of him though as he reached with his big hand and caught it, staring sharply at Kunie;

"Stealing is wrong…you know that, right?" the man asked him, his eyes black eyes not moving away from Kunie's green ones.

Kunie bit his lips but stared back without taking his eyes away. It wasn't the first time he stole an apple or fruit because of his hunger, but nobody stopped or saw him before…his stomach grumbled, and he stood awkwardly staring at the man, his eyes trailing down at the red apple in the big hands. Forcing himself to look up, he finally studied the man, the first thing that took his attention were those two scars on the right side of his cheek, dark hair tied up into a spiky ponytail, dark eyes and a goatee. He seems to be between thirty and thirty-two. His ears were pierced, and he wore a meshed shirt underneath his flak jacket, a skin coat made from an animal he doesn't recognize and hand guards.

Kunie cursed his luck as you didn't need to be a genius to recognize a ninja. He didn't try to run away this time as he would get caught as fast… he can just wait and see what will happen while he purses his lips. After some time of staring at each other, Kunie finally opens his mouth and says honestly;

"I'm sorry."

Kunie knows he is doing bad things after all and he will not deny it.

The man raised an eyebrow, and he seemed amused by something. Kunie didn't understand what the man found so amusing after all; he said those words honestly. The man hummed then scrutinized the toddler one more time, blue hair that reached his chin, big green eyes that stared at him with eyes way older than he seems to be but still have a hint of innocence just a child could have, big baggy clothes hiding his form under them, his head remembering the bones under his touch.

The boy seemed to be younger than his son, but he couldn't be entirely sure.

"Where are your parents?" he asked the boy who froze for a millisecond, if it has been someone inexpert they wouldn't have seen it.

"I don't know where she is" he lied through his teeth, and the man just stared at him patiently, another question following;

"How are you called?"

Kunie stared at him in irritation "How are you called?" he holds his chin higher "it's impolite to ask someone's name without giving your own first."

Idiot…don't play with fire! He cursed in his heart…this man has been kind until now and yet he talks back in such a way…did he grow spoiled without knowing it?

People continued walking around them without even stopping to look, too immersed in their lives to care about what happened around them and Kunie couldn't be more thankful about it. The last things he needs is people recognizing him for stealing food after all.

After some time the man finally opened his mouth;

"Nara Shikaku" the man – Shikaku – chuckled "Nice to meet you, Chibi-Kun."

Kunie stared at the man in confusion as he didn't know what Chibi means but then he remembered the surname Nara…it was one of the noble, shinobi clans in the village if he remembers well.

"So, what's your name?" Shikaku raised an eyebrow as he saw the kid's mind going somewhere else than where he should be at this moment. Kunie's gaze snapped back at him, and those eyes seemed to glow weirdly. If Kunie had a mirror and could see his reflection, he would remember the Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra.

"Kunie" he replied, his eyes darkening as he stares at Shikaku.

"Kunie…Protection of the country?" Shikaku chuckled "You don't seem to be doing a good work though" he holds the apple higher as he smirks.

Protection…?

Kunie stilled when he heard that word, his mind drifting to those memories he has been trying to hide. Why the hell did Aiko choose such a name when she hates him? Or maybe it was fate playing with him again…those words seem like a curse as he remembers how he tried to protect those who he loved but in the end, he abandoned them with a thing called death. He can barely protect some people so how can he protect an entire country!?

His blood started boiling, and a scowl marred his face;

"WHAT THE HECK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME!?" he yelled at the man fiercely, who just stared back at him calmly.

Frustrated tears started dropping to the floor as big puffs of air went from Kunie's mouth.

His yells finally attracted the attention from those who were walking around them, their faces surprised or confused. Shikaku ignored them all and didn't say anything; this just got Kunie angrier as he grits his teeth and curses in his mind, turning around not caring anymore about the man being a ninja and running away.

He ran as fast as he could, dodging legs as he bits his lips until the copper taste of blood invaded his mouth.

Meanwhile, Shikaku got up from his crouching position, his eyes moving away from the disappearing back from the child toward the dirty apple, which was full of dust because of the fall. He stared at it thoughtfully as he touched his chin.

"Aren't you going to stop him?" abruptly a man appeared next to him, his long blonde hair up in a ponytail brushing against his shoulder as he stares at Shikaku's face "I'm surprised you waited so long…it isn't the first time we see him stealing after all."

Shikaku didn't look up, instead looking from the corner of his eyes before sighing and looking up at the sky;

"Who I am to stop him?" he answered with another question before turning around and walking away. The blonde man hummed, following as he muttered;

"Indeed…even in times of peace…" he sighed "Sometimes I can't help but think those in the walls of Konohagakure are more dangerous than the enemy."

Shikaku heard him but didn't say anything, both men disappearing into the sea of people.